Former vice-chancellor of Mangalore and Goa universities B Sheikh Ali on Thursday mooted a special chair at the University of Mysore for in depth studies of Gandhian principles, to establish peace in the world.

Addressing the gathering of academicians at the launch of various programmes with regard to the forthcoming centenary year celebrations of the University of Mysore, at Crawford Hall in the city, Ali said that given the current scenario across the globe, it was inevitable to propagate Gandhian ideals to restore peace in society.

Ali said, the varsity should make an attempt in this direction, and set up a special chair or institute, under the name ‘Gandhian Institute for Eradicating Conflict and Confrontation in the World’. The existing Gandhi Bhavan at the varsity, should conduct intensive research on Gandhi, he added.

Continuing, Ali said, while violence was costly, non-violence as propagated by Mahatma Gandhi, ensured liberty, peace and harmony.

‘Be the best’

In his clarion call to the authorities concerned at the varsity, Ali said the seat of learning should make history by emerging as the best among 200 universities in the world.

Former VC of University of Mysore De Jaware Gowda traced the growth of the varsity in two phases - during its initial days after the then ruler of Mysore Nalwadi Krishnaraja Wadiyar founded it, and later during the tenure of poet laureate Kuvempu as VC. Dejagow said that while the maharaja had sown the seeds of learning by establishing the varsity, Kuvempu should be credited for the several new initiatives.

 It was Kuvempu who braved the odds to establish the PG campus.

To invite Modi

Former prime minister and Hassan MP H D Deve Gowda, who inaugurated the Alumni Association, promised to take the lead along with other MPs to invite Prime Minister Narendra Modi for the centenary year celebrations of the varsity.

“Let us keep the politics away, to celebrate the centenary in a meaningful manner,” he said.